Can I create my own LUTs in Premiere Pro?

March 6, 2026 · caitlin

Yes, you can absolutely create your own LUTs (Look-Up Tables) directly within Adobe Premiere Pro. This powerful feature allows you to save custom color grading presets, making it easy to apply consistent looks across multiple clips or projects. You can build a unique visual style for your videos by adjusting color, contrast, and saturation to your liking.

Mastering Custom LUT Creation in Premiere Pro

Creating your own LUTs in Premiere Pro is a fantastic way to develop a signature visual style for your video projects. Whether you’re a seasoned editor or just starting with color grading, understanding this process can significantly enhance your workflow and the aesthetic quality of your footage. This guide will walk you through the steps, offering practical tips and insights.

Why Create Your Own Premiere Pro LUTs?

Custom LUTs offer a significant advantage for video editors seeking efficiency and consistency. Instead of manually applying the same color adjustments repeatedly, a saved LUT acts as a one-click solution. This is invaluable for maintaining a consistent color grade across different shots or even entire projects, ensuring a polished and professional final product.

Time Savings: Apply complex color grades in seconds.
Consistency: Ensure a uniform look across all your footage.
Unique Style: Develop and reuse your signature color palettes.
Collaboration: Share your custom looks with other editors.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a LUT in Premiere Pro

The process involves using Premiere Pro’s Lumetri Color panel to craft your desired look and then exporting it as a LUT. It’s a straightforward procedure once you understand the tools available.

1. Apply and Adjust Color Corrections

Begin by importing your footage into Premiere Pro and placing it on your timeline. Select the clip you want to color grade. Open the Lumetri Color panel (Window > Lumetri Color). You’ll use the various sections within this panel to build your look.

Basic Correction: Adjust exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks.
Creative: Apply creative looks and adjust their intensity.
Curves: Fine-tune contrast and color with RGB and Hue/Saturation curves.
Color Wheels & Match: Balance colors and adjust midtones, shadows, and highlights.
HSL Secondary: Isolate and adjust specific color ranges.
Vignette: Add a vignette for focus or stylistic effect.

Experiment with these tools until you achieve the exact aesthetic you envision. Don’t be afraid to push the sliders and explore different combinations.

2. Exporting Your Custom LUT

Once you’re satisfied with your color grade, it’s time to save it as a LUT.

In the Lumetri Color panel, navigate to the "Creative" section.
Click on the dropdown menu next to "Look."
Select "Export.look/.cube."
Choose a location to save your LUT file and give it a descriptive name.

Premiere Pro will save your adjustments as a .cube file, which is the standard format for LUTs. This file can now be used in Premiere Pro or other compatible video editing software.

Using Your Custom Premiere Pro LUTs

Applying your newly created LUT is as simple as creating it.

Select the clip you want to apply the look to.
Open the Lumetri Color panel.
Under the "Creative" section, click the dropdown next to "Look."
Navigate to "Browse…" and select your saved .cube file.

You can also adjust the "Intensity" slider in the Creative section to blend the LUT’s effect with your original footage, giving you more control over the final look.

Advanced Techniques for LUT Creation

For those looking to push their color grading further, consider these advanced methods:

Using a Color Checker: Film a standard color checker chart (like a Datacolor SpyderChecker) at the beginning of your shoot. Use this as a reference in Premiere Pro to ensure accurate color reproduction when applying your LUT.
Layering Adjustments: While you export from the "Creative" tab, remember that all the adjustments you made in the other Lumetri sections contribute to the final LUT. Understanding how each section impacts the overall look is crucial.
Creating Different LUT Types: Premiere Pro primarily exports from the "Creative" tab. For more complex LUTs that incorporate specific curve adjustments, you might need to explore third-party tools or more advanced grading software.

When Are Custom LUTs Most Useful?

Custom LUTs shine in specific scenarios where color consistency and speed are paramount. They are particularly beneficial for:

Branded Content: Maintaining a consistent brand color palette across all marketing videos.
Documentaries: Ensuring a unified look for interviews and B-roll shot at different times or locations.
Filmmaking: Applying a specific cinematic mood or style to a sequence of shots.
Social Media Content: Quickly applying a signature look to a series of posts.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Creating LUTs

While creating LUTs is accessible, some common mistakes can hinder your results.

Over-Correction: Applying too much saturation or contrast can lead to unnatural-looking footage. Always strive for a balanced and pleasing aesthetic.
Ignoring Source Footage: A LUT is a look. It won’t magically fix poorly exposed or out-of-focus footage. Start with the best possible source material.
Not Testing: Always test your LUT on various clips and lighting conditions to ensure it performs as expected. What looks good on one shot might not work on another.

Premiere Pro LUTs vs. Third-Party LUTs

While you can create your own LUTs, many editors also use pre-made third-party LUTs. Understanding the difference is key.

Feature	Custom Premiere Pro LUTs	Third-Party LUTs
Origin	Created by you based on your specific footage and vision	Developed by other colorists, often for specific camera types
Uniqueness	Highly unique, tailored to your style	Can be widely used, potentially less unique
Control	Complete control over the look and its creation	Limited control, you apply the existing look
Cost	Free (included with Premiere Pro)	Can range from free to several hundred dollars
Learning Curve	Moderate, requires understanding Lumetri Color	Low, often just a matter of applying and adjusting intensity

Ultimately, the best approach often involves a combination of both. Use third-party LUTs as a starting point or inspiration, and then refine them or create your own unique looks.